Player

High School: Reading, Class of 1966

College(s): Long Beach State

Background: Bill was affectionately known as ‘Long’ Bill Jankans (LBJ) for his lanky 6-5 frame. He became one of the greatest players in Reading High School history while playing for Naismith Hall of Fame Coach Pete Carril. He set the school record for points with 1,423. Bill was named first team All-State while leading the Red Knights to a 25-0 start in his senior season in 1966. That team won the rugged Central Penn League title and the District 3 championship. Reading lost to Chester in the PIAA Eastern Final. His 1966 team is still regarded as one of the best teams in Reading history. Bill was a ferocious rebounder who averaged over 15 boards a game in both his junior and senior seasons. He had great perimeter skills that enabled him to average over 20 PPG over his 73 game high school career. He scored a career high 37 points in a game as a junior. Bill was so highly regarded as a player that he was recruited by legendary Coach John Wooden to play at UCLA during their dynasty days. Bill decided to play at California State University, Long Beach for another Hall of Famer, Coach Jerry Tarkanian. He was the 71st overall player drafted in the 1970 NBA draft. He had a three year college career and was an All-Conference pick on two occasions. He played professional basketball for the Pittsburgh Condors of the old ABA. The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976. He was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.